Cost of living in New York City (United States) is 25% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 915 prices entered by 191 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 3% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in New York City (United States) is about the same as in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
New York City | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $22 (3,086 kr) | 3,482 kr | - 11% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (1,721 kr) | 2,721 kr | - 37% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 (917 kr) | 1,217 kr | - 25% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.53 (211 kr) | 219 kr | - 3% | |
12 eggs, large | $6 (845 kr) | 857 kr | - 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $6 (888 kr) | 625 kr | + 42% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 (1,110 kr) | 1,184 kr | - 6% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.40 (607 kr) | 313 kr | + 94% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.42 (334 kr) | 400 kr | - 16% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $4.53 (624 kr) | 466 kr | + 34% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $23 (3,124 kr) | 3,894 kr | - 20% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $3.12 (430 kr) | 314 kr | + 37% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.70 (510 kr) | 390 kr | + 31% | |
Housing | + 79% | |||
Housing in New York City (United States) is 79% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
New York City | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $5,301 (730,389 kr) | 323,623 kr | + 126% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,403 (468,870 kr) | 273,393 kr | + 72% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $178 (24,465 kr) | 19,861 kr | + 23% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $4,018 (553,687 kr) | 224,920 kr | + 146% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,364 (325,720 kr) | 163,338 kr | + 99% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $118 (16,301 kr) | 20,214 kr | - 19% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $68 (9,433 kr) | 7,060 kr | + 34% | |
40” flat screen tv | $353 (48,619 kr) | 91,003 kr | - 47% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $142 (19,585 kr) | 28,156 kr | - 30% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $16 (2,242 kr) | 2,012 kr | + 11% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $25 (3,379 kr) | 5,653 kr | - 40% | |
Clothes | - 33% | |||
Clothes in New York City (United States) is 33% cheaper than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
New York City | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $72 (9,864 kr) | 16,877 kr | - 42% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 (6,788 kr) | 9,202 kr | - 26% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $112 (15,497 kr) | 26,198 kr | - 41% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $168 (23,098 kr) | 31,450 kr | - 27% | |
Transportation | + 19% | |||
Transportation in New York City (United States) is 19% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
New York City | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $28,495 (3,926,312 kr) | 5,490,880 kr | - 28% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.06 (147 kr) | 313 kr | - 53% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $130 (17,854 kr) | 9,768 kr | + 83% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $37 (5,063 kr) | 8,624 kr | - 41% | |
Personal Care | + 22% | |||
Personal Care in New York City (United States) is 22% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
New York City | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (1,160 kr) | 1,482 kr | - 22% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $20 (2,705 kr) | 2,067 kr | + 31% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $109 (15,084 kr) | 10,216 kr | + 48% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $10 (1,378 kr) | 687 kr | + 100% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.04 (694 kr) | 679 kr | + 2% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 (1,076 kr) | 775 kr | + 39% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $8 (1,082 kr) | 655 kr | + 65% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.30 (317 kr) | 424 kr | - 25% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $35 (4,865 kr) | 5,964 kr | - 18% | |
Entertainment | + 4% | |||
Entertainment in New York City (United States) is about the same as in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
New York City | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $74 (10,131 kr) | 8,816 kr | + 15% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $36 (4,926 kr) | 3,314 kr | + 49% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $264 (36,357 kr) | 13,356 kr | + 172% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $142 (19,565 kr) | 19,517 kr | + 0% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $19 (2,627 kr) | 2,619 kr | + 0% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 (830 kr) | 669 kr | + 24% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $9 (1,305 kr) | 1,342 kr | - 3% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $580 (79,975 kr) | 106,076 kr | - 25% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.18 (25 kr) | 57 kr | - 56% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $132 (18,193 kr) | 9,862 kr | + 84% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $16 (2,138 kr) | 1,684 kr | + 27% | |
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TOTAL | + 25% |

These prices were last updated on October 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
137.790
ISK
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least 1,191,916 kr ($8,650) in New York City to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 957,000 kr in Reykjavik.
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